The process of
finding a new reverse design for the 2010
Lincoln cent has entered a public phase with the
submission by the U.S. Mint of 18 different
design possibilities to the U.S. Commission of
Fine Arts.

On April 16 the Fine Arts Commission will meet
as this issue of Numismatic News goes to press.
It was established in 1910 and it is one of two
public bodies that evaluate potential U.S. coin
designs and then submit their recommendations to
the Treasury secretary.

The other advisory body is the Citizens Coinage
Advisory Committee Its next meeting is slated
for April 28.

Under terms of the 2005 legislation that
authorized the four Lincoln reverse designs for
2009 and one in 2010 is a requirement that the
reverse design be "an image emblematic of
President Lincoln's preservation of the United
States of America as a single and united
country."

Also to be reviewed by the the Fine Arts
Commission are five possible reverse designs for
the 2010 Native American dollar. The coin
features the familiar Sacagawea portrait on
obverse, but the reverse design changes annually
to mark Native American themes and culture.